Mengyao sighed as he held the black tassel in his hand while resting his cheek in his other. The past week felt like a surreal dream, especially now that Peizhi and Luli had left. He wanted to ponder over what Luli said to him but his heart focused on the fact that the two girls he loved as daughters left.

“Yao’er.”

Mengyao looked up before standing up and bowing. “My Lady.”

He felt Madame Tung-Mei’s hands gently lift him from bowing. She looked at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Would you like to have lunch with me in the garden? You’ve been sad ever since A-Li and A-Zhi left. Maybe food will help.”

Mengyao smiled and nodded. “Thank you, My Lady.”

Madame Tung-Mei nodded as she led him to her personal garden. Walking over the small stream that babbled underneath them, they came to a small but comfortable Gazebo where a servant waited with food set on the table.

Madame Tung-Mei sat down and gestured for Mengyao to sit.

Mengyao sat down and smiled. “I have to say, i haven’t been to your garden in quite a while, My Lady. It’s just as beautiful.”

“You and I have been busy with our duties. But I figured this would be a nice getaway from it all. Yao’er, you really cared for those girls. What did you see in them?” Madame Tung-Mei asked as she fixed her plate with food.

“Well…” Mengyao began, trying to find the words to say. “Zhi’er wasn’t the most ideal servant. She definitely was special in her own way and I couldn’t help but want to take care of her.

“Luli-mei reminded me of my elder sister Luli before she passed. I guess I was just drawn to them. But they’re adults. Luli-mei is twenty-five and Zhi’er is twenty. I knew they’d one day want to leave but I guess I wanted it to be much later down the road.”

He glanced at Madame Tung-Mei, who nodded.

“Don’t worry, Yao’er. You’ll see them again one day,” Madame Tung-Mei said. “After all, you are like their father. If they didn’t visit you, they’re awful girls.”

Mengyao chuckled. “They wouldn’t be awful girls. But I do hope that I can see them again.”

“My Lady!” a servant shouted as they fast approached. Bowing to Madame Tung-Mei, they handed her a scroll. “This was to be given to you immediately!”

“By whom?”

“They wouldn’t say. They tossed the scroll before riding away!”

“Did you see what they looked like?” Madame Tung-Mei asked as she untied the thread that bound the scroll.

“They wore a dark cloak. I couldn’t see their face. I’m sorry, My Lady.”

Mengyao saw Madame Tung-Mei wave it away as she opened the scroll. She gave a frown as her brow furrowed. Mengyao couldn’t remember the last time she had such an expression on her face.

“Whoever gave this message is obviously trying to intimidate me,” she said, rolling it up.

“What did it say?”

“It said “We know. Give him to us or we will attack.” I don’t know who “we” is or what they’re looking for but I refuse to acknowledge their threat,” Madame Tung-Mei said, handing the scroll back to the servant. The servant bowed before leaving the gazebo.

“Him? Are they talking about Young Master Lei?”

“I don’t know. Give it no mind Yao’er. Now, let’s continue to eat.”

Mengyao nodded as he began to put food in his mouth. He felt a shiver go up his back and wondered why. For how warm it was that day, he felt cold all of a sudden.